Blind Quote by Leslie Jamison
“After finishing a draft, no matter how rough, I almost always put it aside for a while. It doesn't matter if it's a story or a novel, I find that when it's still fresh in my mind I'm either thoroughly sick of its flaws or completely blind to them. Either way, I'm unable to make substantive edits of any value.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2015
Taking a break after drafting helps gain perspective, revealing flaws and blind spots that hinder effective editing.
In simple terms: Stepping away reveals hidden issues.
Key Takeaway
Pause before editing to see clearly.
Themes
writing
self‑critique
revision
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- short story editing
- creative process
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
cognitive distance
metacognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does distance change your view of your work?
- What strategies help you return with fresh eyes?
A Different Perspective
Time away may not solve deep structural problems.
![“I'm trying to break myself of that habit [of not writing out a first draft ] because I'm working on a couple novels and I know if I tried to write those books the way I wrote the stories it would take me years to finish.” quote by Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba5/donald-ray-pollock-7796_book_i-m-trying-to-break-myself-of-that-habit_3077738.jpg)
